Outdoor and Natural Settings

Outdoor and natural settings such as parks, forests, meadows, and gardens provide opportunities for people to be physically active, to connect with nature and socialize with others. Natural environments provide health benefits for all ages. Contact with nature can positively influence physical and mental health and well-being, and improve quality of life.

There is increasing evidence to support the importance of outdoor play and nature contact for children’s health, and well-being and overall development.

Physical activity and exposure to nature are important to good health

Parks can play an important role in providing people with access to nature

Play is critical to children’s healthy development

Being physically active outdoors, and in nature, can improve children’s health

Children who spend more time outside, are more physically active

Parks and playgrounds encourage physical activity

Children with more green space nearby are more likely to participate in periods of moderate to vigorous physical activity

Spending time outdoors is associated with higher levels of physical activity in preschool and school-aged children.

Children who have parents that participate in physical activity with them are more active than children with parents who do not participate with them

Adventure playgrounds (e.g. includes materials to build things, climb on, hide in and explore) provide contact with nature and can foster healthy child development

Ideas for Parents and Caregivers - check out the following resources:

Outsideplay.ca is an online tool to help parents and caregivers gain the confidence to allow their kids to engage in more outdoor play. It includes a journey map and frequently asked questions about outdoor risky play.